Freshwater Institute



Introduction
Our oceans are under pressure from the increasing demands of a growing population, resulting in sustainability challenges for our seafood supply.
Advancing Aquaculture & Water Quality
The Conservation Fund’s Freshwater Institute is addressing those challenges by advancing sustainable practices that create a robust aquaculture industry with a goal of reducing dependence on seafood imports and ensuring everyone has access to high-quality, safe and nutritious seafood. We spearhead pioneering research, technological innovations and industry collaborations, shaping solutions that minimize environmental impact and meet the evolving demands of consumers.
Our work has included innovations for improving fish farm efficiency, productivity, and environmental performance. For example, we have innovated AI-based tools for farm management, identified faster-growing strains of commercial species, and created practices that improve quality and encourage consumers to eat more seafood. We’re also reducing environmental impacts in creative ways like creating marketable products from fish waste.
Program Highlights
- Over 35 years of applied research directly benefiting farmers, consumers, and the environment
- Innovated fundamental technologies used in today’s growing land-based aquaculture industry
- Creating a sustainable seafood supply for the future
Publications
The Freshwater Institute specializes in the research and design of aquaculture systems technology, as well as solutions to water-quality constraints and impacts. We publish our findings for both science and industry.
Recirculating Aquaculture Systems Course
This four-day course covers a range of topics from RAS fundamentals to fish health and biosecurity, system operations and maintenance, AI technology and more. The 2025 RAS Course is scheduled for fall 2025 in Shepherdstown, WV.
More Projects

Project
Improving Feeds for Land-based Salmon Fa...
We’re helping develop and enhance feeds for the land-based aquaculture industry, making it likelier that more peopl...

Project
USFWS Hatchery Modernization Project
When the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service needed to modernize facilities, we were there to help.
Program Staff



Latest News & Insight

Insights | February 14, 2025
Fish Shouldn’t Need to Fly
Too much of the salmon Americans eat travels thousands of miles from places like Chile or Norway to reach our dinner plat...

News | February 2, 2023
The Conservation Fund’s Freshwater Insti...
ARLINGTON, Va. — The Conservation Fund’s West Virginia-based Freshwater Institute, an internationally renowned research ...